Workplace Etiquette- Tips For Millennials

Do you ever feel like you are the odd one out in the office? You get weird stares when you walk into a meeting. You get overlooked for important tasks that you are fully capable of doing? Do you get funny comments about how you wouldn’t understand something because you are young?

Well truth be told, there are some unwritten rules that come with joining the corporate environment. Yup! No one really tells you these things when you start working. But as you maneuver through the workplace, you will get the hang of things.

Here are 5 tips millennials, (and anyone in general) can use to fully subscribe to the unwritten rules in the workplace.

TIME MANAGEMENT – BE ON TIME
One of the easiest ways to make an impression in the workplace is being on time. Have you ever been in meetings, where, just as the meeting is about to start someones absence is noticed and the response is, “She/He is never late. Im sure there is an explanation. Kindly give them a call, we can spare a few minutes for them”. Obviously not in these words. But you get it.

Being on time will have you taken seriously and respected.
Also, when you manage your time well, you are saying,
-I am dependable;
-I value what we are doing here;
-I am responsible

DELIVER ON YOUR PROMISES

How many times have you taken up too many tasks at once? All with similar deadlines and all requiring an immense amount of work. It’s often easy to take up more work than you can handle, which results in you either missing deadlines or not giving the work enough attention.

Often you will get more assignments if you are known to deliver on your promises, but you have to make sure you are able to deliver equally on all promises. Remember, there is nothing wrong with saying, “I am working on the report you requested, I will have it completed by 1100hrs. When do you expect this presentation to be ready?”. This way you understand the expectation, and your supervisor is able to let you know which one should be prioritised.

Do what you said you will do when you said you will do it.

PICK YOUR CREW WISELY

It’s common to have friends at work or people you prefer to spend time with during the day. The people you pick often determine how you are viewed or treated.

What do you and your workplace buddies get up to? are you found taking extended tea breaks or lunch. Chatting and laughing out loud in the corridors when there is work expected from you. How does your crew dress when they come to work? What sort of feedback is being given about your friends by colleagues?

It is okay to be yourself but some relationships can be career limiting. You know the saying “Birds of the same feather flock together”. If you’re hanging with under-performers, Executives may assume you are just like them. (Not fair, but that’s just how the system works)

MINIMISE CELLPHONE USE

Everyone is always on their phone, but don’t be the one who is always caught out. In a meeting? keep it away. Sitting at your desk, put it down for a good 45mins. You can do it.

TAKE RISKS

Sometimes you feel disengaged in your current role. Take up additional work outside you day-to-day. Understand how the entire business is connected and how your role contributes to the bigger picture.

Through this you will identify skills and areas you can develop to build your career. This is risky. Even though you are not mandated to do any other work, once you take it up, your name is attached to it.

Plan your next role. Take up challenging tasks. Raise your hand for the next project. Ask questions.

The workplace can be overly serious and “boring” sometimes. Doing these won’t make you boring. They will cover the serious aspect expected in the workplace. Once these are covered it may be easier for you to influence conference calls instead of physical meetings, flexible working hours (no one will think you are suggesting this because you fail to be on time, it will seem like a noble idea for everyone).

You first have to be part of the existing culture to change it. When you are part of it you change it in a way that its owners will not feel the need to resist.